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The girlfriend of murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio has told authorities to destroy an ageing camper van bought by the couple during their trip round Australia, police said today.

Joanne Lees, 34, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has instructed Northern Territory Police to dispose of the orange Volkswagen Kombi van which she and Mr Falconio were travelling in when they were stopped by drug smuggler Bradley Murdoch on a remote Outback highway in July 2001.

The van provided key evidence in the 2006 trial of Murdoch, who was convicted of shooting dead Mr Falconio and trying to kidnap Miss Lees.

Mr Falconio, 28, from Huddersfield, bought the mechanically troubled van from a used-car yard in Sydney for the couple’s Outback adventure.

The pair were travelling near the outpost of Barrow Creek when Murdoch waved down their camper van and shot Mr Falconio in the head.

Murdoch then threatened Miss Lees with a gun, punched her in the head and bound her with cable-tie restraints before she managed to escape, hiding in bushes for hours while her attacker stalked her with a dog.

He is believed to have hidden Mr Falconio’s body, which has never been found despite extensive searches.

The van was discovered the next day hidden in roadside bushes near the murder scene and Murdoch’s DNA was found on the vehicle’s gear stick.

It has been in police or court custody for the last seven years and is no longer in running order.

Police said the van was moved to the Darwin police compound yesterday from the Northern Territory Supreme Court basement where it has been held as evidence.

Today, a spokesman for the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services said: “As per the policy on the disposal of exhibits after a court case is completed, the owner, Ms Joanne Lees, has instructed Northern Territory Police to dispose of the vehicle.

“To clarify, police will facilitate the destruction of the vehicle at a date to be decided.”

Last year Murdoch, who is serving at least 28 years behind bars, lost his final appeal against his conviction and life prison sentence.